18.03.2026
Final workshop marked another key milestone in Finland’s national bidding strategy for international sports events
The fourth and final workshop of Finland’s national bidding strategy for international sports events was held on 12 March 2026 at Espoo Metro Arena. The strategy process, carried out in collaboration between Tapahtumateollisuus ry and Sport Event Management Finland (SEMF), is now entering its final phase.
The work aims to develop a long-term national strategy extending to 2040 to strengthen the role of international sports events in supporting Finland’s vitality.
The Espoo workshop brought together a broad group of stakeholders to review the draft strategy’s core elements and provide final input on its completion. Throughout the process, participants represented cities, sports federations, event organisers, and other key actors across the ecosystem.
Discussions highlighted the importance of clear roles and responsibilities, stronger collaboration between stakeholders, and long-term commitment to implementing the strategy.
Development needs were identified, including:
- strengthening international advocacy and influence
- developing support structures for event bidding processes
- improving data-driven management and impact measurement
- enhancing national coordination and a shared situational awareness of upcoming bids
Open information sharing, active use of networks, and the exchange of best practices were seen as essential in building collective expertise and lowering the threshold for hosting international sports events in Finland.
Finalisation work in progress
The strategy work will now continue with the finalisation of the draft based on insights gathered throughout the workshop series with the active support of the steering group. The completed national bidding strategy is scheduled for completion by the end of April 2026 and will be officially handed over on 29 April 2026.
The process has brought together an extensive network of stakeholders across sectors, strengthening shared understanding and cooperation. This collaborative approach is expected to continue into the implementation phase following the completion of the strategy.
Project Director of SEMF, Jani Backman, has been delighted to see the great number of people joining the journey of building joint strategy:
“International sports events play an important role as strategic investments that support economic vitality, tourism, and Finland’s international visibility. It has been encouraging to see such strong engagement in building a shared direction. This work continues beyond April, and SEMF is committed to supporting the strategy also in its implementation phase.”
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Pictures: Sport Event Management Finland / Tapahtumateollisuus ry